Understanding Systemic Racism

A Series of Three Presentations and Discussions

John M. Liu, Presenter

Professor Emeritus

Departments of Asian American Studies and Sociology

UC Irvine

Session 1: Thinking and Behaving Systemically    

Wednesday, June 24, 2020          7:00-8:30 PM

How has a system of inequality evolved in the United States since its beginning? What is the meaning in the Declaration of Independence that all men are created equal? Who are “We the people” in the preamble of the U.S. Constitution?  An examination of these questions provides a basis to understanding how systems function and how they affect our social behavior.

Session 2: What Is Racism?

Wednesday, July 1, 2020               7:00-8:30 PM

What are we targeting when we speak of racism – prejudice, discrimination, or both? This session will use an analytical framework for understanding the relationship between prejudice and discrimination. Particular attention will be paid to occurrence of discrimination in the absence of any overt prejudice.

Session 3: Changing the Narrative   

Wednesday, July 8, 2020              7:00-8:30 PM

How do we talk about racism? Instead of seeing prejudice as the primary basis of systemic racism, this session will emphasize that focusing on discriminatory behavior is key to re-configuring a racist system. A new narrative will unravel the way different institutional settings and everyday behavior implicitly continues to disadvantage marginalized groups. A new narrative also needs to address ways in which white privilege can contribute to a more equitable society.

Click the links below to view the related graphics.

Relationship Prejudice and Discrimination

Manifestations of a System in Operation

Zoom Meeting Info:
https://zoom.us/j/93474589016?pwd=Wmp3QzB2MU1qcWhpMUlQaFk5eHl0UT09

Meeting ID: 934 7458 9016
Password: 880931
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